Competence-based assessment has become embedded in the post-qualifying framework to help bolster practical skills, says Joanne Rouse

This article describes a mixed methods study of the experience of pre- and post-registration child health nursing students taking observed structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Effectiveness of OSCEs as learning, teaching and assessment strategies in preparing for practice was assessed by questionnaire. The results were positive among both groups. However, it was less clear among the post-registration students whether OSCEs suited their acquired learning styles or increased students’ confidence in their clinical skills.